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What to eat in South Australia? Top 25 Southern Australian Wine Varieties

Last update: Thu Feb 27 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Southern Australian Wine Variety Producers

01

Wine

MCLAREN VALE, Australia
5.0
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Mr. Riggs is a boutique winery based in McLaren Vale, South Australia, founded by winemaker Ben Riggs in 2001. The winery combines traditional winemaking techniques with innovative practices to craft premium wines that reflect the character and climate of the region.


Mr. Riggs sources its grapes from carefully selected vineyards across South Australia, particularly focusing on McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills, which are known for producing rich, flavorful wines with a strong sense of terroir.
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2023, 2020

Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show

2020, 2018

Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum

2017

02

Wine

MCLAREN VALE, Australia
5.0
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Serafino Wines is a family-owned winery in the McLaren Vale wine region of South Australia, known for crafting premium wines that reflect the region's unique terroir. Established by Italian immigrant Serafino “Steve” Maglieri in 1968, the winery has a long tradition of Italian winemaking heritage combined with innovative techniques.


Serafino Wines produces a diverse range of varietals, including Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and more, with a strong reputation for full-bodied, expressive reds.
AWARDS

USA Wine Ratings - Gold

2022, 2021, 2019

03

Wine

ADELAIDE, Australia
5.0
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Penfolds is an Australian wine producer that was founded in Adelaide in 1844 by Christopher Rawson Penfold, an English physician who emigrated to Australia, and his wife Mary Penfold. It is one of Australia's oldest wineries, and is currently part of Treasury Wine Estates.
AWARDS

James Suckling - 98 points

2024

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold

2022

Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show

2023

04

Wine

MCLAREN VALE, Australia
4.8
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Fox Creek Wines commitment is to cultivate a unique wine brand that embodies the qualities of craftsmanship, innovation, consistency and authenticity. Fox Creek Wines portfolio ranges from Sparkling white through to Shiraz and includes exciting alternative varietals.
AWARDS

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold

2022

Asia Wine Trophy - Grand Gold

2021, 2019

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold

2019

05

Wine

MCLAREN VALE, Australia
4.7
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Clarendon Hills is an Australian winery founded in 1990 by Roman Bratasiuk. Located in the McLaren Vale region, it specializes in producing wines from unique single vineyards, focusing on Grenache, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties. The winery is renowned for its old-vine wines, including the iconic Astralis Syrah, which has achieved cult status on the international stage.


Additionally, Romas Grenache comes from the oldest and rockiest part of the Blewitt Springs vineyard, with vines planted in the 1920s and 1940s. Clarendon Hills is a pioneer in Grenache production in Australia, introducing the first single-vineyard wine made from 100% Grenache, Blewitt Springs Grenache, in 1991. 
AWARDS

James Suckling - 97 points

2024

BEST Clarendon Hills Wines
06

Wine

KANGARILLA, Australia
4.7
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Yangarra Estate Vineyard is a single-vineyard estate located in McLaren Vale, South Australia, specializing in Rhône varietals, particularly Grenache. The estate has been organically and biodynamically farmed since 2008, emphasizing sustainable viticulture practices.


The vineyard is situated on ancient sandy dunes, providing ideal conditions for cultivating their grape varieties. Winemaker Peter Fraser has been crafting wines at Yangarra for over two decades, focusing on expressing the unique terroir of the region. 
AWARDS

James Suckling - 97 points

2024

07

Wine

OAKBANK, Australia
4.7
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Murdoch Hill is a family-owned winery located in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia, near the town of Oakbank. The estate has been under the stewardship of the Downer family since 1939, with the first vineyards planted in 1998. Today, the winery is managed by brothers Michael and Andrew Downer.


The winery manages two estate vineyards: a 20-hectare property near Oakbank, planted with varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc; and an 8.5-hectare vineyard in the Lenswood sub-region, known for its high-quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. 
AWARDS

James Suckling - 96 points

2023

BEST Murdoch Hill Wines
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Southern Australian Wine Varieties

01

Wine

MCLAREN VALE, Australia
5.0
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McLaren Vale Shiraz by Mr. Riggs is a classic example of a full-bodied Australian Shiraz, showcasing the bold and rich flavors that McLaren Vale is known for. The wine is crafted from carefully selected grapes grown in the unique soils and warm climate of the region, which contribute to its depth, intensity, and balance.
AWARDS

Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show

2020, 2018

02
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This wine reflects the unique characteristics of each variety, with Shiraz providing rich, fruit-forward flavors and a lush mouthfeel, while Cabernet Sauvignon adds structure, depth, and elegant tannins. The 2013 vintage benefited from ideal growing conditions, producing a wine with intense aromas of blackcurrant, plum, and blackberry, complemented by notes of dark chocolate, tobacco, and subtle earthy undertones.


On the palate, this wine reveals a layered complexity, with ripe black fruit flavors balanced by hints of spice, cedar, and fine-grained tannins that provide a long, smooth finish.
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2023, 2020

03
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Reserve Bin A Chardonnay is a contemporary and expressive Adelaide Hills chardonnay. The fruit is hand-picked into small bins and then whole-bunch pressed. A portion of the juice is allowed to undergo a natural fermentation.
AWARDS

Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show

2023

04
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Penfolds Bin 95 Grange Shiraz is Australia's most famous wine with a reputation for superb fruit complexity and flavour richness. It is the most powerful expression of Penfolds multi-vineyard, multi-district blending philosophy and is officially listed as a Heritage Icon of South Australia.


One of the world's great wines.
AWARDS

Falstaff - 100

05
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The 1998 Penfolds Grange is a blend of 97% shiraz and 3% cabernet sauvignon from premium vineyards in the Barossa Valley, Magill Estate and Padthaway. The wine was matured for 18 months.
AWARDS

Falstaff - 100

06
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The 2018 Grange has familial flavors of a deconstructed black forest cake – chocolate, custard, bright wild raspberry along with a beefy accompaniment and notes of sarsaparilla whirled into the mix. Mouthcoating - a confluence of tannin, acidity, oak, and fruit – all joyously meshed together.
AWARDS

Falstaff - 99

07
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From a solid vintage in South Australia, this wine seamlessly weaves together notes of Italian plum, black cherry, mocha, cigar box and a plethora of herbs and spices. The palate is chiseled, all rippling, glistening muscles, but without the top heaviness.


Ultrafine tannins cinch vibrant fruit while that cigar box element lingers on the lengthy finish.
AWARDS

Falstaff - 99

08
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Deep purple-black in color, the 2008 Grange puts forward a very complex nose packed with aromas of mulberries, layers of baking spices, cloves and cinnamon with nuances of minced meat, anise, potpourri and whiffs of dried mint and chocolate.
AWARDS

Falstaff - 99

09
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The 2004 Bin 60A is destined to become one of Penfolds great special Bin releases. The restraint, pure fruit and elegance of 2004 Block 20 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon is complimented by the power and richness of the 2004 Kalimna and Koonunga Hill Barossa Shiraz.


Barrel fermentation in oak has woven all the fruit and oak elements into a wine of immense generosity, depth and complexity. This classically structured, beautifully balanced wine has all the finesse and integrity to develop and evolve in the cellar for many decades.
AWARDS

Falstaff - 99

10
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Full red-purple; concentrated, ripe, cassis and blackberry fruit leaps from the glass, with oak present but trailing behind. The palate is as rich, ripe, succulent and concentrated as the bouquet suggests, redolent with cassis, and long, lingering tannins.
AWARDS

Vivino - 4.6

11

Wine

ADELAIDE, Australia
5.0
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Magnificent, exotic, a veritable cascade of opulent flavors-earthy currant, black cherry and licorice--on a grand frame of incredible length, wrapped in finely grained tannins.
AWARDS

Vivino - 4.7

12
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Crafted by winemaker Ben Riggs, this 2017 vintage captures the rich, ripe character of Shiraz grapes harvested from premium vineyards within the region. The growing season in 2017 allowed for slower ripening, resulting in wines with balanced acidity, concentrated flavors, and complexity.
AWARDS

Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold

2020

13
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The purity of this Shiraz and freshness of flavour, we believe this wine over-delivers with flavours of dark plums, spice and a long lingering palate complemented by fine supple tannins.
AWARDS

USA Wine Ratings - Gold

2019

14
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The generosity of bright red fruits; including blackberry, blueberry, mint, Swiss dark chocolate and violets intertwined with spicy fine grained tannins. This French and American oak integrates harmoniously with dark berry fruits, providing full flavoured wine with layers of texture.
AWARDS

USA Wine Ratings - Gold

2021

15
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he wave length in this full bodied style showcases intense red berry fruits. These fruits combined with integrated oak and then juicy middle palate fullness. Enjoy the hallmarks of this McLaren Vale Shiraz, spice, length and mocha chocolate richness, together with supple tannins.
AWARDS

USA Wine Ratings - Gold

2021

16

Wine

MCLAREN VALE, Australia
4.8
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Montepulciano by Mr. Riggs is a distinctive and vibrant wine that captures the Italian Montepulciano grape's character within the Australian terroir. Sourced from select vineyards, this wine presents deep, lush aromas of black cherry, plum, and a hint of spice.


On the palate, it delivers rich, dark fruit flavors balanced by subtle earthy notes, fine tannins, and a touch of oak.
AWARDS

Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum

2017

17
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Light to medium yellow hue with a nutty, smoky oak-tinged bouquet. The palate is firm and dry, intense and tightly packed, not really flowering yet and seems to be withholding a lot. There is a touch of richness and good persistence. It has potential.
AWARDS

Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum

2016

18
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Penfolds Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 is an exceptional red wine from Australia's Coonawarra region, renowned for its "terra rossa" clay soil on limestone. This wine exhibits a bright cherry red color with dark magenta reflections. The nose is rich and subtly woody, offering aromas of red fruits such as cranberry, cherry, and pomegranate, along with notes of red licorice, musk, graphite, and black olive.


On the palate, it is lively and complex, featuring flavors of red fruits, blood plum, and graphite, supported by delicate tannins and a chalky acidity. This wine has excellent aging potential and can be cellared until around 2048 to fully reveal its aromatic richness.
AWARDS

James Suckling - 98 points

2024

19
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First produced in 2014, Three Blocks Cabernet Sauvignon epitomises Cabernet in McLaren Vale—lifted varietal aroma, rich mid palate fruit and complex, well-ripened tannins that show power and structure. Fox Creek used the geology map, clone planting reports and a network of contacts around the region to identify potential vineyards that were suited to achieving the search for more elegant, stylish and varietal Cabernet fruit.
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold

2019

20
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It delivers scents of struck match and lingering campfire smoke, followed by almost peachy-ripe layers of fruit, all backed by vibrant notes of citrus and pineapple. It's medium to full-bodied and almost creamy in texture without being fat or lush, as it's drawn tight around a gentle spine of acid that lingers elegantly on the finish.
AWARDS

IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Gold

2022

21
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Only made in the best years, in very small quantities with limited allocations, Reserve Shiraz is not only a forerunner in developing the reputation of Fox Creek, but also the McLaren Vale region; showcasing exceptional fruit quality, structure, complexity, balance, elegance, length of flavour and approachability when young with long term cellaring potential.
AWARDS

Berlin Wine Trophy - Grand Gold

2022

Asia Wine Trophy - Grand Gold

2021

22
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First produced in 1995 Shiraz components were selected for fruit richness and elegance, Cabernet Sauvignon for ripe round tannins and length and Cabernet Franc for aromatic lift and fruit weight. JSM is matured in 1 to 4-year-old French and American barrels for 20 months prior to blending.
AWARDS

Asia Wine Trophy - Grand Gold

2019

Portugal Wine Trophy - Grand Gold

2017

23
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Clarendon Hills Romas Grenache is a single vineyard wine made from a patch of fruit on the steepest and rockiest section of the Blewitt Springs Grenache vineyard. Gnarly old vines planted in the 1920’s produce microscopic yields along with amazing acidity and present an acidity profile similar to that of a white wine.


The density of the rocks and soil up in this part of the vineyard defines Romas and warrants its isolation from other parts of the vineyard and position as flagship Grenache expression at Clarendon Hills. The heavy presence of ironstone, quartz and shale rocks limit the size and yields of these vines and the resulting wine reflects the mineral elements. 
AWARDS

James Suckling - 97 points

2024

24
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Yangarra Estate Roux Beauté Roussanne 2022 is an exceptional white wine made from 100% Roussanne grapes, sourced from a unique vineyard site with weathered sandy and iron-rich soils. The grapes were handpicked from the estate's oldest Roussanne plantings, with a portion harvested a week earlier to enhance freshness.


One part of the grapes was destemmed, crushed, and placed in 675-liter ceramic eggs, where they fermented on their skins and remained for 120 days before pressing, retaining only the free-run juice. The other portion was whole-bunch pressed in a basket press and fermented without skin contact. 
AWARDS

James Suckling - 97 points

2024

25
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Murdoch Hill's 2022 Landau Syrah is a medium-bodied red wine that showcases a harmonious balance, featuring fine-grained tannins and a juicy core of red fruit, resulting in exceptional drinkability. This vintage demonstrates significant advancement from the acclaimed 2021 Landau.


The 2022 vintage benefited from a cool growing season, which allowed for a long, gradual ripening period. This climate facilitated the development of optimally ripe fruit with restrained sugar levels, modest alcohol content, and sinuous tannins, all balanced by natural acidity. 
AWARDS

James Suckling - 96 points

2023

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Southern Australian Wine Varieties